Using observation to collect evaluation data

Prepared By
Engr.Muhammad Mujtaba Asad

Checking in
What do you think? Answer YES or NO to each of the following 1. Observation involves seeing and listening 2. People may behave differently when they know they are being observed so it is better not to tell them 3. Structured observations provide more accurate and useful information 4. As long as you see it, it doesnt matter if you record what you saw 5. You, as someone who knows the program and the participants, are best suited to conduct the observations 6. The same principles of sampling apply to observation as to other forms of data collection Check your answers at the end

Observation
Involves all 5 senses: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste

Purpose and benefits of observation as a data collection method

It is unobtrusive You can see things in their natural context You can see things that may escape conscious awareness, things that are not seen by others You can discover things no else has ever really paid attention to, things that are taken for granted You can learn about things people may be unwilling to talk about It is inconspicuous least potential for generating observer effects It is the least intrusive of all methods You can be totally creative flexibility to yield insight into new realities or new ways of looking at old realities

Observation is useful when

You want direct information You are trying to understand an ongoing behavior, process, unfolding situation, or event There is physical evidence, products, or outcomes that can be readily seen Written or other data collection methods seem inappropriate

Observations
Advantages Most direct measure of behavior Provides direct information Easy to complete, saves time Can be used in natural or experimental settings Disadvantages May require training Observers presence may create artificial situation Potential for bias Potential to overlook meaningful aspects Potential for misinterpretation Difficult to analyze

Is observation culturally appropriate?

Things to consider: Discomfort, threat of being observed Issue of being an outsider Observer effect Possibilities for misinterpretations

Observation Ethical issues

Unobtrusiveness is its greatest strength; also potential for abuse in invasion of privacy You can venture into places and gather data almost anywhere so be ethical Remember our Human Subjects Protection guidelines Consent form for participating in an observational study

Types of observation
Structured
Looking for
Sometimes we have something specific we want to observe leadership skills; level of participation; etc. We use a structured, preset guide of what to observe or a checklist.

Unstructured
Looking at
Sometimes we want to see what is naturally occurring or exists without predetermined ideas. We use have an open-ended approach to observation and record all that we observe

Observing what does not happen may be as important as observing what does happen.

Practice: Structured/unstructured observations

Imagine you are sitting in a room where ten youth are sitting at computers learning about Web 2.0 applications. 1) If you want to assess to what extent students are interested and learning, what specifically would you look (listen) for? 2) If you arent sure what specifically indicates student interest or learning and you want to see what is going on during the demonstration, how would you proceed?

Steps in planning for observation

Determine who/what will be observed. Determine aspects that will be observed (characteristics, attributes, behaviors, etc.). Determine where and when observations will be made. Develop the observation guide Pilot test the observation guide Train the observers and have them practice. Conduct the observations Analyze and interpret the collected information. Write up and use your findings.

Who/what can you observe

People (individuals, groups, communities) Characteristics Interactions Behaviors Reactions Physical settings Environmental features Products/physical artifacts
Use sampling strategies as you do for other methods of data collection

Example Observing participation in an after school program

Who you will observe: youth attending the program What you will observe: Age, gender Length of time student stays in the program Involvement in activities: which activities Level of involvement Interactions with other youth; with staff When you will observe: all hours the program is open for one week each month during 2007

Recording your observations

It is not good enough to just observe, you need to record your observations. You might use: Observation guide Recording sheet Checklist Field note Picture Combination of the above

Sample Observation Guides

Guide for structured observations Guide for unstructured observations

Structured observation guide used for pre and post program evaluation

Who does the observations?

You program staff Participants - Youth Parents Teachers Volunteers Other stakeholders Colleagues

Training preparation/orientation may be necessary

To learn what to look for To learn how to record observations To practice To ensure that observations across sites are consistent: observers use the same methods, rate an observation in same way

How well do you observe?

Take 15 seconds and look at the picture below. Move to the next slide or turn away from the computer screen and write down everything you observed. Then, come back to the photo and see what you missed (or thought was there and isnt!).

Practice your observation skills everyday in everyway! And, add observation to your data collection toolbox.

Checking back inAnswers

1. Observation involves seeing and listening YES 2. People may behave differently when they know they are being observed so it is better not to tell them NO they often DO behave differently but that is not a reason not to tell them they are being observed. 3. Structured observations provide more accurate and useful information NO unstructured observation also can be very useful

4. As long as you see it, it doesnt matter if you record what you saw NO you must record your observations to have evidence of it existing
5. You, as someone who knows the program and the participants, are best suited to conduct the observations NO various people might be well suited, though training may be necessary 6. The same principles of sampling apply to observation as to other forms of data collection YES